2003 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 816 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 239 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 112 people were injured and 5 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
266 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, May 9, 2005
AS I PUT CAR ON DRIVE,IT JUST ACCELARATED OUT OF CONTROL..BRAKES DID NOT WORK,EMERGENCY BRAKE NEITHER,THANKS TO CURB I DID NOT RUN THRU A FENCE THAT SEPARATES SUPERMARKET'S PARKING LOT AND HOUSING'S PLAYGROUND FULL OF KIDS AND PARENTS ENJOYING MOTHER'S DAY.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 17, 2005, crash
I PULLED INTO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, SLIGHTLY TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR, REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED RAPIDLY ON ITS OWN. I FIRMLY APPLIED THE BRAKE TO STOP BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE ACTION OF THE BRAKES LEFT A LONG PATCH OF RUBBER, BUT DID NOT SLOW THE CAR. AFTER STRIKING AN SUV, MOVING IT OUT OF THE WAY AND INTO ANOTHER CAR, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED BY A METAL LIGHT POLE. THE CAR HAS YET TO BE EXAMINED BY A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2005, crash
MY MOTHER BERTHA SUSSMAN WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN SHE APPROACHED THE GATE OF HER COMMUNITY. SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. SHE HIT A TREE AS THE CAR PICKED UP SPEED. SHE HAS SPENT THE LAST YEAR IN THE HOSPITAL, HOSPICE, AND NURSING HOME.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 7, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH HER FEET WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE SURGED. THE CONSUMER STATED IT SEEMED LIKE A COMPUTER PROBLEM. AN ACCIDENT DID OCCUR, HOWEVER THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SPIN BEFORE SHE COULD STOP IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN STALLED. OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALER , AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED EVEN MORE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO TWO PARKED CARS AND A BRICK WALL. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK THE CONSUMER RECIEVED A CHECK 18,636.18 IN FULL PAYMENT FOR AUTO LOSS. WHEN THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE RPMS WHERE HIGH. ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Jan 18, 2005
WHEN DISENGAGING THE VEHICLE FROM PARK THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 30, 2004
WENT TO DRIVE 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE OUT OF THE GARAGE. STARTED THE CAR TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE AND GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK, THE MOTOR STARTED RACING DURING THIS TIME. TURNED OFF CAR GOT OUT OF CAR TO WAIT TILL LATER TO RUN ERRAND AND DECIDED TO TRY ONE MORE TIME. START CAR AGAIN TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE. IT SECEEDED THIS TIME BUT THE CAR ACCELLERATED OUT OF THE GARAGE RAPIDLY W/ OUT MY ASSISTANCE. DAMAGING SEVERAL ITEMS ON ITS WAY OUT OF THE GARAGE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Dec 29, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. JB UPDATED 03/04/10 *BF UPDATED 04/12/10.*JB UPDATED 08/26/10. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 15, 2004, crash
WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. *AK ONE PERSON WAS INJURED AND ONE PERSON WAS KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REFUSED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *NM UPDATED 03/05/10 *BF UPDATED 09/23/10 UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS WITH INAPPROPRIATE SPEED, SHOT THROUGH A PARKING SPACE BEHIND ME, INTO NEXT ROW OF PARKED CARS, AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE, TOTALING IT. *BF *SC
Vehicle speed control, Nov 30, 2004, crash
UNEXPLAINABLE SUDDEN SURGE CAUSED $5,389.95 IN DAMAGES TO MY TOYOTA CAMRY. *BF NO ANSWER REQUIRED - SEE RESPONSE TO CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE (CCMMERCURY REF. NO. ES04-009988, ODI REF. NO. 10101790) *MJJ THE SURGING WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC
Vehicle speed control, Nov 24, 2004, crash
OWER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION SUGGEST NHTSA INITIATE INVESTIGATION. *BF THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD AND HAD RUN INTO A CONCRETE WALL AND OCCURRED ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS. *SC SEE ODI 10063095 (SIPEK). *DSY DUPLICATE OF 10101790. *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Nov 23, 2004, crash
OWNER OF 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION SUGGEST NHTSA INITIATE INVESTIGATION. *BF WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE IT SUDDEN SURGED FORWARD HITTING A CONCRETE WALL. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED SOME BRUISES. THE ACCIDENT CAUSED $5000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT WAS FOLLOWED BY TWO MORE SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. NO ANSWER REQUIRED - DUPLICATE OF ODI REF. NO. 10101616. *MJJ SEE ALSO 10063095 (SIPEK). *DSY
Vehicle speed control, Nov 21, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND SHIFTING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OUT-OF-CONTROL INTO ADJACENT NEIGHBOR'S YARD. IMMEDIATE AND CONTINUAL APPLICATION OF BRAKES DID NOTHING -- ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED STRIKING A HOUSE. INSTEAD, I WAS FORCED TO STRIKE A ROW OF TREES TO STOP RUN-AWAY VEHICLE. FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON EITHER SIDES. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE TREES, I WOULD'VE STRUCK A 500 GALLON PROPANE TANK, 2 PARKED PICKUP TRUCKS, AND THE ORIGINAL HOUSE FROM WHICH I WAS DEPARTING FROM. MY LONE PASSENGER AND I WILL BE EMOTIONALLY SCARRED FOREVER BY THIS INCIDENT. PLEASE FORCE TOYOTA TO ISSUE A RECALL HERE! PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR A DEATH... PLEASE!!!*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Nov 8, 2004
WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH RPMS ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO GO OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Oct 6, 2004, crash
WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB GAS PEDDLE STUCK AND BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE CAR FROM MOVING. CONSUMER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER SPRAINED HER LEG AS A RESULT OF PUTTING SO MUCH FORCE ON THE BRAKE TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Oct 2, 2004, crash
WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, I SHIFTED THE 2003 CAMRY FROM PARK INTO REVERSE. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT HIGH SPEED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, CROSSED THE ROAD, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. 3 PEOPLE IN CAR, NO INJURIES. SO FAR, ESTIMATED BODY DAMAGE IS ABOUT $8000, BUT UNDERCARRIAGE HAS YET TO BE INSPECTED. REASON FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION IS UNKNOWN.AK
Vehicle speed control, Sep 29, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *TC
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 24, 2004, crash
WHILE PARKING VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Sep 13, 2004, crash
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK SUDDENLY VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, BUT, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, STRUCK A BENCH, AND SEVERAL OTHER ITEMS. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED IN THE INCIDENT. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND CLAIMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MALFUNCTION MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSE BECAUSE OF THE A/C CYCLED THROUGH ON/OFF. RPM INCREASED. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE HEARD THE ENGINE RACING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE A/C WAS ON. THE INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE BUILDING SECURITY. *TC
Vehicle speed control, Sep 9, 2004
WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN THE MOTOR SUDDENLY SPED UP CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OVER THE CURB AND RUN AT HIGH SPEED INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS FINALLY STOPPED BY REPEATEDLY APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Aug 31, 2004, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CEMENT BLOCK IN THE PARKING SPACE. *AK *NM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 24, 2004, crash
WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT,BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AN AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 12, 2004, crash
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER HAD HER FOOT LIGHTLY RESTING ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. *SC *JB